USA > Illinois > Menard County > Some interesting Menard County homes > Part 6
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The Stephenson family continued to live in this house until after the death of Mrs. Stephenson and Miss Mary occurred. Miss Carrie Stephenson then moved to Peoria to make her home with her brother, Dr. B. F, Stephenson.
In 1926 the house was occupied by and later purchased by Mr. and Mrs. John Rigdon and their two daughters Betty, who married Richard Finney and Ruth Eileen, who married Clayton Ainsworth. Since Mr. Rigdon's death in 1965 the house has been occupied by Mrs. Rigdon.
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Stith House
A S one travels north on the blacktop road from Atterberry, one approaches the stately old home built in 1868 by Elzy Creel Stith. The Stith family lived in a log house nearby, when work was started on their new home. Bricks were burned for the house on the farm, the clay for the bricks coming from east of the present home. The kiln for burning the bricks stood west of the house near the timber.
Contractor of the house was Gaines Greene, who moved here from Mason county. He was a brother of William G. Greene of Tallula, and an uncle of Gaines Greene who lived in Petersburg.
This dignified and charming old home has eleven rooms, six of which are upstairs and five downstairs. The staircase is of walnut and the woodwork is of white pine. A large brick fireplace graces one end of the living room. This house has a hip roof which is topped by a bell tower. This bell was used to call laborers from the field.
Elzy Creel Stith was born in 1818 andhis wife America Witt Stith was born in 1822. Both cameto Illinois fromthe state of Kentucky. They were the par- ents of ten children: James, William, Thomas Milton, Richard, David, Elzy Creel Jr., Jenkens, Mary who married James Thomas, Kate who married Henry Spilly, and Jane who married William Davis, the latter two being the parents of Mrs. Kate Bailey. Thomas Stith and Elzy Stith married sisters, the daughters of William and Sarah Armstrong Watkins. Thomas married Laura Watkins and Elzy married Etta Watkins.
After the death of their parents, the house was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jenkens Stith, Mrs. Stith being the former Sarah Girard. They were the par- ents of one child who died at birth.
Mr. and Mrs. Elzy Stith Jr. were the parents of four children: Homer, who married Imogene Thomas; Norma, who married Henry Meyer; Geraldine, who married Wymer King; and Floy, who married Elmer Page.
Following the death of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkens Stith, the house was owned by Homer Stith. It was occupied by his son Frewert Stith and his wife the former Vera Taylor and their daughter Linda Kay Stith. Wayne Stith is also a son of Homer Stith. Wayne married Gertrude Estill Smith.
Following the death of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Stith, the house was sold to James Hawks, who owns it at the present time.
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Talbott House
his nine-room red brick house stands at 120 W. Washington street in Petersburg. It is thought this house was built in 1861 by Boone Talbott and his wife Mary. The foundation is of stone, and walls in the house are 12 inches thick. This hipped roof house originally had no porch, the pres- ent one having been added to the house by John Rebbe. Paired modillions under the eaves were removed in recent years.
The house was later owned by Robert and Nancy McCoy Bone, early set- tlers of Menard county, and was sold to Jacob Seese and his wife Barbara Jane in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Seese were the parents of five children: Charles, John, William, Ella (McCaulley), and Caroline (Feulner). Mr. Seese died in 1906, and Mrs. Seese continued to live in the house until her death in 1919.
Charles Seese and his brother John were in partnership in the hardware business in Petersburg. Charles wastwice married. His first wife was Mary Alice Carman, and they had one son, Phillip Seese. Mrs. Seese died in 1883, and in 1891 Mr. Seese was married to Mary Bela, and they were the parents of six children: Beatrice (Embree), Pauline (Burns), Percy who married Thelma Buckley, Thelma (Pond), Leona (Benson), and Mary who was first married to Lawley Albert, and following his death she married Powell Staley.
In 1920 this house was purchased by John Rebbe. John Rebbe was born in 1861 in the Rebbe homestead east of Petersburg, a large frame house across the valley south of Rose Hill cemetery. He was married to Catherine Plunk_ ett, and they settled on a farm near Bobtown. After living on this farm for several years, they sold the farm and purchased the Woodson Power farm about four miles east of Petersburg. Here they lived until they retired and moved to Petersburg. Mr. and Mrs. Rebbe were the parents of ten children: Charles, who married Carrie Dovey; Frank and Jack, who married sisters, Frank married Alma Heflin and Jack, Marguerite Heflin; Mae, who married Albert Frick; Elizabeth, who married Otto Treseler; Paul, who married Edna Draheim; Helen, who married Harvey Hudspeth; and three children who died in childhood.
Mrs. Rebbe died in June, 1929 and Mr. Rebbe in March 1941. Following the death of Mr. and Mrs. Rebbe, their daughter Elizabeth became the owner. Here she and Mr. Treseler lived until his death in 1962. It is now occupied by Mrs. Treseler and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Paul Rebbe.
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Tice House
ike many other houses in Petersburg, the city of hills, this house has always been one of interest to a great many people in the community. Located on North Fifth street, this ten-room gray brick house was built by John Tice in 1865. This house boasts a walnut staircase which winds past the windows against the front interior wall. Of interest are the port hole win- dows in two upstairs bedrooms, sliding into the wall for ventilation. This sturdy house has interior partitions of brick that are fourteen inches thick, and the basement walls are built of solid rock, eighteen inches thick. The four fireplaces have been bricked up throughout theyears, and small porticos have been removed from the north and south sides of the house.
John Tice was born in 1823 in Floyd county, Virginia. His parents, Nich_ olas and Elizabeth Tice, emigrated to Menard county in 1831, driving across country in an ordinary road wagon. Nicholas Tice purchased farm land in the community which was later to bear his name. They settled on the land about 1/2 mile east of the Tice black top crossroads. The house stood about 1/4 mile north of the road. This farm was later purchased by Henry Balster, and after his death by his son Thomas Balster. Mrs. Nicholas Tice died in 1845 and Mr. Tice in 1856.
John Tice spent his youth and early manhood at Tice. He was a self- educated man, working on the farm in the summer and teaching school during the winter months. He was married to Miss Lydia Bowers of Rockingham county, Virginia. John Tice was an attorney, and was at one time vice pres- ident of the First National Bank of Petersburg. He also served as Menard county Assessor and Treasurer in 1857-1869, County Judgefrom 1873 to 1881, Deputy Surveyor and Sheriff. He was also in the real estate and loan business. Judge John Tice was a close friend of Abraham Lincoln.
The death of John Tice occurred in 1904.
This house has passed through several ownerships. It was owned for a time by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Faith and was occupied by their son Harold Faith and his wife Verda and their two children Catherine Ann and Hugh.
Today the house is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hagler and Mr. and Mrs. Terry Wilson. It is owned by Ira Theobald.
The little hamlet of Tice, located on the old Tice farm, shows little evidence that at one time it was a thriving community. Here Peter Tice built a two-story brick building, in which he ran a grocery and general store. The upstairs was used as a meeting hall and for dances. The brick for this building was made in the brick and tile factory which stood just south of the railroad track. It was owned and operatedby Arphad Snell, and was built in 1883. Mr. Snell also operated a coal mine south and west of Tice near the Sangamon River. There was also a large coal mine just west of Tice. The first Meth- odist church at Tice was built in 1849 on land donated by John Tice. It stood about 1/2 mile south of the black top crossroad. This church was later torn down and a new church was built in 1896, about two blocks from the store. A new school house was built directly across the road from the church in 1899. Both buildings were built by Jens Ahrenkiel. The first Tice postoffice was called Oak Ridge and was established in 1867. Mrs. Louisa Winters was made postmistress, and letters to be mailed were dropped into a slot in her kitchen door. The postoffice was later movedtothe Tice railroad station. The house where the Winters lived is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. James Sampson.
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Walter Turner Home
O ne of the oldest and most interesting houses of Menard county is the old Turner home which stands about two and one half miles north of Athens. This house was built by Walter B. Turner in 1823. Brick for this house was burned across the road from where the house now stands. This two_story brick house has ten rooms and two large halls. When completed, this house had a very fine large porch which extended across the entire front of the house. This porch has been removed and the bricks in the house painted white.
Walter B. Turner was born in Tennessee in 1802, the son of John and Hannah Turner. His parents moved from Tennessee to Ohio, then to Illinois, locating where this house is built.
Walter Turner was married to Miss Joanna Bracken of Menard county and they were the parents of eleven children, four of whom lived to adulthood. They were: Alfred, Robert, Lucinda and William.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Turner are buried in old Lebanon cemetery.
Lucinda Turner married Rev. Edmund Worth. They lived in a house a short distance west of this house. The Worths were the parents of three daugh- ters: Louella May, who married James William (Billy) Lynn of Oakford; Belle E. (McDougall) and Delia (McDougall). The Lynns' had six children: Anna Irene (Lounsberry), Russell, Abbie Adele (Power), Letitia Mae (Gerdes), William Worth Lynn and Zeta Josephine (Terhune).
William Turner married Miss Laura Hurt and they were the parents of three children: Maude and Myrtle, who were twins, and Nina Turner who died at the age of 18 years. This family lived in this old home for many years. Miss Maude Turner married William H. Williams, and they lived in the house vacated by the Worth family when they moved to Petersburg. They were the parents of two sons, Harold and Turner Williams.
Following the death of Mr. Turner, the house was occupied by Mrs. Turner and her grandson, Turner Williams and family. Turner Williams married Maude Thompson of Springfield. Their two daughters were named Virginia and Norma Jean.
The home was later sold to William Wertheim of Springfield, who owns it at the present time. It is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dale Woodrum.
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Samuel Watkins Home
A bout four miles west of Petersburg, on the road to Atterberry, stands a beautifully maintained old home built by Samuel Watkins.
Joseph and Nancy Greene Watkins were married in 1804 and came to Menard County from Clinton county in 1820, in a two-wheel cart, drawn by a yolk of oxen. They settled in the Little Grove neighborhood where Samuel Wat- kins, their youngest son was born. Here the family lived for many years in a log cabin.
Samuel Watkins married Miss Mary Woldridge of Menard county. When first married they lived in a log cabin in Mason county. They returned to Menard county in 1865, moving to his father's farm which he started farming. He started purchasing land and eventually became the owner of 3000 acres, some of the land having been purchased for $6.00 an acre.
The house which they built stood back about 1/4 mile east of the present house, and was badly damaged by a cyclone in 1883. The front part of the house which remained undamaged, was moved to the present location, and this ten room house was built. Some of the woodwork in the front part of the house is bruised and dented as a result of the cyclone. For over 75 years a large wild grape vine has twined its way through lattice work at the rear of the house, forming a large shaded area.
Horse breeders and horse lovers came from all over the United States to this farm where horses were bred and trained. Here the famed horse, Peter McCue, founder of the Quarter Horse breed was bred and trained.
Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were the parents of eight children: Nettie, who mar- ried Z. A. Thompson; Elizabeth, who married Elijah Purvines of Pleasant Plains; Evans, who married Pauline Spears; Elias, who married Irene Fisher; Walter, who married Ollie Juhl; Edgar, who married Mae Onken of Chapin; Hattie, who married Christian Juhl; and Nona, who married Ira Abbott.
Samuel Watkins died in 1911 and his wife Mary Watkins in 1933.
For many years the home was owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Elias Watkins, and since Mr. Watkins death it has been occupied by Mrs. Elias Watkins.
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Isaac White Home
0 ne of the finest homes of Petersburg is this red brick house which was built by Isaac White in 1860. At that time the hill where the house stands was covered by timber.
Isaac White was born in Ithaca, New York in 1819. He came with his par- ents to Chandlerville, Illinois at the age of 12 years, the trip being made in a covered wagon through Chicago (which was then Fort Dearborn) in the year 1831. When they crossed Spring Creek, 6 miles west of Springfield, a band of Indians camped across the creek from them, numbering around 2000 warriors, besides women and children. The White family camped one night near the old mill at New Salem, then traveled on to Chandlerville where the father built a log house and started farming. At the age of 13 Isaac White would be sent by his father with a team of oxen to haul wheat to Beardstown.
In 1835 Isaac White was one of Lincoln's helpers in surveying the village of Petersburg.
In 1845 he was married near Chandlerville to Miss Sarah Ann Sutton, For a time they lived on a farm near the village but later moved to Robinson's Mill (Bobtown).
In 1849, during the gold rush to California, Isaac White decided to take a drove of cattle through, cattle selling at that time for a high price. Two wagons made the trip which took six months. There he remained a year and three months. When he left for home he had $6000 in gold dust in a belt around his waist. He took a ship from the west coast to New York, going across the Isthmus of Panama. From New York he returned to Chicago by train.
Due to the death of some of their children at Robinson's Mill, which was attributed to dampness in that location, the family moved to Petersburg. For a time they lived at the Menard House, later moving to the house one block west of the square, which is now the Hurley Funeral Home.
Isaac White at one time was the owner of the entire east side of the square. After moving to Petersburg he entered the merchandise business, which was located on the west side of the square.
Mr. and Mrs. White were the parents of Jennie, who married Dr. Joseph Newcomer; Anna Marie, who married Charles T. Lewis; Hardin; Effie (Matte- son); Bertha, who married Edward Laning; and the children who died in in- fancy. The double wedding of Jennie and Anna occurred on December 5, 1807, in the living room of this house.
Mrs. White died in 1865. Later Mr. White was married to Miss Matilda Clark. Isaac White died in 1896 and Matilda White died in 1902.
Following the death of Mr. and Mrs. White, the house was owned and oc- cupied for many years by Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Lewis. They were the parents of Effie (Bradley), Walker Lewis, who became treasurer of Sears Roebuck of Chicago, Lucy (Flickinger), Arthur, who was killed by a train in Chicago, Edna (Taylor), Dr. Ralston Lewis, Agnes (Luthringer), and Christine (Finney).
Today this charming old house is owned by a great-grandson of Isaac White, Arthur Finney and his wife, the former Louise Powers. They are the parents of three children: Patricia, Stephen and Keith.
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521 W. Jackson Street, Petersburg
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William White House
W illiam W. White, builder of this house, was the son of Aaron B. White and Elizabeth Murray White. Aaron White was one of the pioneers of Clary's Grove, coming to this community from Kentucky. He operated a saw mill at Clary's Grove, coming from there to Petersburg. William White was the brother of Margaret Bennett (grandmother of Mrs. Harold Smoot and John Ben- nett), Nancy Smith (grandmother of Ben Axford), and Mary Degge (mother of A. R. Degge).
Aaron White was a carpenter and cabinet maker and built the old frame Presbyterian Church in 1842, a building which stood as a landmark for many years, being located on the first lot east of the present Standard Oil Station.
Around 1839-40, a Christian Church society was formed under the charge of Aaron White. This society continued for some years, receiving spiritual teachings from passing ministers. The meetings finally ceased after some of the older members died, but in 1862 the church was again organized under the influence of his son William White. When the new Christian Church was built in 1908, William White's son, A. T. White was awarded the contract to con- struct the new church.
William White was born near Lexington, Kentucky in 1824. He was mar- ried to Rebecca Perkins in 1846. William White was a contractor and many of the public and private buildings in Petersburg were erected by him. Rebecca Perkins White was born at New Salem. Sheknew Lincoln well when a child and watched his growth into eminence with pride.
The old log cabin in which Rebecca Perkins White lived at New Salem was moved to Petersburg when the former town site was abandoned, and later this same house was made a part of the new and commodious residence built by her husband in 1850. William White purchased the block of ground where this house is located from Abraham Goodpasture in 1849. The house faced north, with a brick walk extending to the street. Many Petersburg people will remember the veranda across the north side of the house. The log portion of the house is lo- cated to the northeast and today is used as a living room. In later years the house to the north was built by William White's grandson, Claire White and his wife Ethel.
Mr. and Mrs. William White were the parents of eleven children: Aaron Thomas; Dr. George White; John; Charles Harris; William Jr .; Henry Curtis; Anna E. and four children who died in childhood.
William White died in 1888. Mrs. White died in 1909 after occupying this house for over half a century.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Watkins are now the owners and occupants of this home.
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209 South Eighth Street, Petersburg
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Henry Wernsing Home
he building of this majestic grey stone house was completed in 1902, and was a gift of Henry H. Marbold to his daughter Anna, who was the wife of Henry Wernsing. Bedford stone was used in this house, the stone be- ing chipped and fashioned at the location. Standing at the outskirts of Green- view to the south and east, this house boasts twenty rooms. On the third floor is a large ballroom where many brilliant social affairs have been held by the past and present owners. Alkire Brothers, Greenview contractors, construct- ed this house.
Before moving to their new home, Mr. and Mrs. Wernsing occupied the house to the north, now occupied by Mrs. Harry Wernsing.
Henry Wernsing was born in Badbergen, Germany in 1859 and came to the United States in April 1888. He was married in September of the same year to Anna Marbold. After removing to Greenview Mr. Wernsing established a gen- eral merchandise and grocery store. Mr. and Mrs. Wernsing were the parents of five sons: Harry, who married Mabel Sisson; Otto, who married Helen Sud- brink; Rudolph; and two sons who died in childhood.
Mr. Wernsing's death occurred in 1917. Mrs. Wernsing continued to live in this home for several years, eventually moving to Springfield. In 1937 the home was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Miller of Chicago who were former Greenview residents, Mrs. Miller being the former Mae Blane, daughter of Edward and Louise Tourine Blane. Mr. Blane was the son of Abner Blane, and a descendant of the Blane family which settled in Irish Grove in 1820, said to be the first white persons who lived in the Irish Grove community.
Carl Miller was born in Ronne, Bornholm, Denmark, the son of Hans Peter Miller and Sophia Hallberg Miller, and cametothe United States in 1883 when he was a year old. At an early age he entered newspaper work in Springfield and later joined several newspapers in Chicago. In connection with his work he devoted much time working for various Masonic groups. In 1923-24 he served as Sovereign Prince of Chicago Council Princes of Jerusalem, and in 1939-40 he was Commander-in-Chief of Oriental Consistory. He received his 33 De- gree in 1922 and was elected an active member of the Supreme Council of 33 Degree in 1940. He served as Grand Marshal General of Supreme Council from 1944-63 and was Potentate of Medinah Temple in 1936. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were in attendance at every meeting of the Supreme Council from 1944 until 1963.
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Dr. Whitley Home
C oming to Petersburg in 1879, Dr. James D. Whitley built this brick home at 405 S. Seventh Street. The lines of this sturdy ten-room house have been changed very little. The present owners built a new kitchen to the west, and a Victorian veranda was removed from the east of the house and re- placed by a modern porch. The sun room to the east and south has been un .. changed. At the roof line of the sun room are etched glass windows with a bird design, bordered on all sides by colored glass.
James D. Whitley, physician and surgeon, was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England in 1844. He came to America with his parents in 1846, locating in New York city. His mother died of cholera during the 1849 epidemic. In 1857, at the age of twelve, he was brought to Logan county where he was apprenticed to a farmer. He joined the Union Army during the Civil War, but because of his early age would only be accepted as a drummer boy. He was later placed in charge of a dispensary, acting as assistant surgeon in charge of the guard house until his discharge in 1865. He attended lectures at Rush Medical Col- lege, then came to Menard county and opened an office in Petersburg. Six months later he moved to Robinson's Mill (Bobtown). In 1879 he returned to Petersburg where he practiced medicine until his retirement.
Dr. Whitley was married four times. His first wife was Elizabeth Wat- kins, who died in Oakford. His second wife was Emma C. Haynes, who died in 1890. They were the parents of three children: Ida and Albert who died in childhood and James D. Whitley. His third wife was Sarah Virginia Degge, and they were the parents of one son, Langdon D. Whitley. In 1904 Dr. Whitley was married to Miss Elizabeth Rourke, who survived him. Dr. Whitley died in 1914.
The house was later occupied by Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Gurrad. Mr. Gurrad was a photographer, and Mrs. Gurrad was theformer Mary Bennett, daughter of Dr. Richard Bennett.
Mr. and Mrs. John Eilers owned and occupied the house for several years, and following Mr. Eilers death, the house was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Menichetti. Mr. Menichetti operated a meat market for several years, and eventually the store was enlarged and turned into a super market. They were the parents of six children: Henry Jr. who died in childhood; Primo, Savina, Eda, Frank and William. The home is now occupied by the Misses Savina and Eda Menichetti and their brother Frank Menichetti and his daugh_ ter Miss Lois.
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Willson House
O ne of the old landmarks of Tallula is the Willson home, which stands at North Elm Street. The house was built by Dr. John Ferguson Willson when he practiced medicine in Tallula. Dr. Willson was the first prac_ ticing physician in the village of Tallula, and it is thought the house was built in 1884.
Dr. Willson who was born in 1830, started practicing medicine in Tallula in 1858. After enlisting and serving in the infantry during the Civil War, he returned to Tallula where he started a grocery and hardware business. He later became associated with William G. Greene in the banking business. The bank was known as the Willson & Greene Bank, which was later known as the Farmers & Merchants State Bank. Dr. Willson also owned a great deal of land around Tallula.
Dr. Willson married Miss Sarah Margaret Crum of Virginia, and they were the parents of seven children: Oscar; Frank; Howard, who was educated in Europe, and sang in grand opera in the United States as well as Europe; Charles; Royal; Clara, who married Dr. Shasted of Pittsfield; and Millie who died in infancy.
Dr. Willson's death occurred in 1915, and Mrs. Willson died in 1921. Their remains rest in Greenwood cemetery, west of Tallula.
Following the death of Mr. and Mrs. Willson, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Ayers became owners of the house. The Ayers occupied this home for many years. They were the parents of one son, Arthur.
The house is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Basso.
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.3555P716S C001 SOME INTERESTING MENARD COUNTY HOMES PE
3 0112 025393197
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